One casualty of the President’s shutdown of non-essential government offices has been public clarity about precisely which government functions continue to operate. Aviation has not been immune from the confusion once some designated pilot examiners began telling applicants they were unable to conduct pilot practical exams. Making matters worse of course, all Flight Standards District Offices remain closed during the shutdown.
Some Airman Practical Testing May Continue During Shutdown
Key Takeaways:
- The government shutdown created confusion regarding the continuation of pilot practical exams, exacerbated by the closure of Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs).
- The FAA has clarified that it does not intend to stop pilot practical tests during the shutdown, as communicated by the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA).
- Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) who are normally authorized to conduct practical tests without requiring prior approval from their managing office may continue their activities.
- DPEs who require explicit approval or oversight for specialty tests, yearly recurrency, or those on new/probationary status may still face challenges due to closed FSDOs.
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